Sullivan Residence.
"Thank you for tonight, Mr. Griffin." Eleanor Sullivan spoke softly, her voice carrying a hint of restraint.
Lucien Griffin didn't respond immediately. His deep gaze lingered on her delicate side profile as if trying to see straight through her. Only after a long moment did he slowly open his mouth, "Miss Sullivan, there's no need to thank me. It was nothing."
Eleanor slightly nodded, then turned and walked straight inside the Sullivan Residence.
Lucien stared at the grand Sullivan home before him, Eleanor's face replaying over and over again in his mind. It felt strangely familiar. "Let's go."
The car pulled away from the Sullivan Residence. Eleanor watched the direction in which the car disappeared, gently touching the necklace on her neck. "It's been a long time… Lucien."
"Eleanor." Patricia Tihanna pushed open the door and entered. Seeing Eleanor standing by the window, her eyes flicked downward at her outfit, a trace of almost undetectable disdain flashing across her gaze. "These are some habit traits and personality characteristics of the Griffin family. Read more. It will help you find a foothold once you marry into the Griffin family." She swept another glance at Eleanor. "And once you move into the Griffin family, don't wear these types of clothes anymore. Change to something more soft and gentle."
While she spoke, Patricia's eyes kept shifting and never dared look directly at Eleanor, revealing a tinge of guilt. "It's late. Rest early." Then she turned and left.
Eleanor looked at the documents on the table. Pages filled with dense text, along with photographs of the Griffin family members, detailed introductions of their preferences and habits.
Eleanor closed the file, took it in her hand, and went upstairs.
Her eyes fell onto the calendar on the desk. "Three days… only three days left…"Her gaze dimmed with sorrow. Marriage… meant she would never return to Summer City again. That Black Domain Network contract couldn't be handled. Activities under "Y" could only be suspended. Eleanor stared into the mirror at her slightly exhausted reflection and slowly closed her eyes.
The next morning.
Bright sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a glow on Eleanor's face. She slightly frowned and rubbed her eyes.
"Ding—" Her phone lit up.
"Moon, are you awake? If you're free, come over today. There's something." Skyler Mu stared at the website interface on her laptop, brows furrowed.
"Okay." Eleanor answered decisively. Her gaze turned sharp. It seemed things at the Black Domain Network would be busy again.
Eleanor put on a loose black hoodie paired with black jogging pants. Comfortable, casual. A black cap sat atop her hair. Even dressed so casually, it did nothing to weaken the dangerous sharp aura wrapping her presence.
Patricia stared at Eleanor's outfit wide-eyed, flickering with a trace of surprise. But obviously, Eleanor didn't take her words from last night at all. Patricia's eyes darkened with displeasure.
Eleanor's ride had arrived. She didn't even eat breakfast. "Nanny Wilkins, no need to prepare my portion today." Without paying any mind to Patricia—who was still stunned—she left the house.
Kyler Apartments.
"Ding-dong—" Eleanor rang the doorbell, backpack on her shoulders, lazily chewing a lollipop.
Click—
"Elle, you're here. Come in." Luke narrowed his eyes into a smile at her confused expression, "I've been staying at Skyler's place temporarily."
Eleanor let out a faint "oh," then walked straight toward Skyler Mu who was lying on the sofa. "What happened?"
Seeing Eleanor arrive, Skyler immediately sat upright, anxiety filling her eyes. "Something went wrong in the lab!"
Eleanor's eyes widened. The lollipop between her teeth snapped instantly. "What?" She picked up the investigative data from the table, flipping page after page. Her eyes gradually grew darker.
Luke reached out to gently hold Eleanor's hand. "Stop looking. I checked it already. All the data's been scrambled."
"Someone is preventing you from digging further." Skyler Mu's eyes were tense with worry.
Eleanor leaned back into the chair, pressing her fingertips against her forehead. "We'll talk about everything… once I'm back in Summer City."
Luke saw the disappointment in her expression. She was about to speak when—
"Ding-dong—"
All three tensed at once. Skyler and Luke hurriedly gathered the files on the table.
Eleanor stepped in front of the monitor, "It's Liam Mu."
Skyler had already hidden all the documents, and Luke quickly went to her room to store it away. She shut her door and made an OK gesture to Eleanor.
Eleanor opened the door. Liam Mu originally had impatience written across his face, but the moment he saw Eleanor—his expression melted instantly.
"Eleanor is here too." Liam forced his tone to remain calm.
Eleanor nodded slightly, moving aside to let him in. Liam's hands were full of Skyler's favorite snacks and drinks. He had even gone all the way to a distant confectionery shop to buy that specific matcha cake Skyler and Eleanor used to love during high school.
Liam glanced around and finally noticed Luke sitting on the sofa. His brows furrowed slightly. "And this is?"
Skyler quickly reacted and stepped forward. "This is Luke. He's Eleanor and my buddy. He's here to keep me company." Then turned, giving Eleanor a look.
"Mm." Eleanor was currently enjoying her matcha cake, a bit of cream still on the corner of her lips.
"Wipe it." Liam handed her a tissue when he noticed.
Griffin Residence.
Clack—Lucien Griffin and the old Mr. Griffin were playing chess.
"Lucien, that young lady—what do you think of her?" Mr. Griffin tapped his chess piece and then glanced at Lucien's expression.
"She's alright." Lucien responded lightly. He originally thought he would be disgusted with her. But unexpectedly… Eleanor wasn't as bad as those investigations had made her appear. Lucien found his mind recalling her face unconsciously… his Adam's apple slightly moved.
The day before the wedding.
Patricia Tihanna and Harold Sullivan walked into Eleanor's room together.
"Eleanor, once you're in the Griffin family, behave yourself. Don't stir trouble." Harold Sullivan's gaze was indifferent, unreadable.
Patricia stayed silent beside him. Although Eleanor indeed wasn't close to them… thinking of Cecilia Sullivan's current situation, Patricia's eyes instantly flooded with tears. The one who should have been standing gloriously in this position… was supposed to be Cecilia.
Eleanor looked at the two of them. Her gaze bland. "Don't forget what you promised me."
"Alright. Tomorrow, I'll give you what you want." Harold stared at this daughter he barely knew—and a faint sourness rose in his heart.
Eleanor watched them leave. She then turned to look at the round moon outside her window.
"It's so full tonight."